Seeking to snap their five-game winless run, Rio Ave play host to Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio dos Arcos as round 19 of the Primeira Liga comes to an end on Monday.
As for Ruben Amorim's side, they head into the game looking to secure a fourth consecutive victory over the home side and continue their race for a Champions League spot.
Match preview
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Rio Ave failed to move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings as they suffered a 3-1 defeat against Vizela at the Estadio do FC Vizela last Sunday.
Nigerian forward Abdul-Aziz Yakubu netted his seventh goal of the season to hand the visitors a first-half lead, but goals from Samu, Igor Juliao and Milutin Osmajic helped the Vizelenses mount a thrilling second-half comeback.
Luis Freire's men have now failed to win any of their last five matches, claiming three draws and losing twice since a 2-1 victory over Segunda Liga side Farense in Group B of the Taca da Liga.
Rio Ave have now picked up five wins, six draws and lost seven of their 18 matches to collect 21 points and sit 11th in the Primeira Liga table, level on points with 12th-placed Famalicao.
While the Vilacondenses will be looking to arrest their slump, Monday's game pits them against a rampant Sporting Lisbon side who have won each of the last three meetings between the sides and are unbeaten in 17 of the last 20 encounters since November 2009.
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Elsewhere, Sporting Lisbon turned in a performance of the highest quality as they thrashed second-placed Braga 5-0 when the sides squared off at the Estadio Alvalade on Wednesday.
In a game where Sikou Niakate received his marching orders, goals from Marcus Edwards, Matheus Reis, Pedro Goncalves and a brace from Japanese forward Hidemasa Morita condemned Os Arcebispos to their fourth defeat of the season.
Prior to that, Sporting Lisbon were denied a fifth Taca da Liga title on January 28, when they were beaten 2-0 by league rivals Porto courtesy of goals in either half from Stephen Eustaquio and Ivan Marcano.
Amorim's side head into the weekend unbeaten in all but one of their last seven Primeira Liga matches — picking up five wins and one draw — with a 1-0 loss against Maritimo on January 8 being the exception.
With 35 points from 18 matches, Sporting Lisbon are currently fourth in the league standings, five points adrift of fifth-placed Braga in the Champions League qualifying playoff spot.
Team News
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Rio Ave will take to the pitch without Aderllan Santos, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card in last Sunday's loss to Vizela.
In his absence, Croatian defender Renato Pantalon should come into the XI, teaming up with Patrick William and Josue Sa in the back three.
On the injury front, Freire will be unable to call upon the services of 26-year-old midfielder Joca, who has been sidelined since last September through a severe knee problem.
Meanwhile, the Leoes remain without Portuguese midfielder Daniel Braganca, who has been out of action since last May when he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture.
Luis Neto, who recently recovered from a long-term knee injury, was an unused substitute against Braga and the veteran defender could make his long-awaited return to action on Monday.
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Jhonatan; William, Pantalon, Sa; Costinha, Guga, Samaris, Graca; Yakubu, Ronaldo; Pereira
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Juste, Coates, Inacio; Morita, Santos, Ugarte, Esgaio; Edwards, Goncalves, Chermiti
We say: Rio Ave 0-2 Sporting Lisbon
While Rio Ave will be looking to find their feet, they go up against a spirited Sporting Lisbon side who head into Monday fresh off the back of steamrolling a solid Braga side. Amorim's side have enjoyed the better of this fixture and given the gulf in quality between the two sides, we are backing them to come away with a comfortable victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
